Arnaldo Antunes

Arnaldo Antunes first came to attention as a guitarist and songwriter with the Brazilian group Titãs, which he left in 1992. After that, he began working on his own material, sometimes with other musicians like Marisa Monte and Carlinhos Brown. His songs tend to avoid straightforward storytelling, leaning instead on abstract phrases and fragmented images that can puzzle some listeners and intrigue others.

You can hear that approach in tracks like 'Comida' and 'Socorro,' where the lyrics circle around everyday subjects without settling into simple messages. The music itself pulls from Brazilian pop and experimental rock, often built on unconventional rhythms and harmonies that feel more like puzzles than anthems.

Antunes has kept at it for decades, putting out a steady stream of albums that critics have generally praised, even if his style never aimed for mass accessibility. He writes about social and political themes, but usually in a way that avoids direct protest, more like turning familiar phrases inside out to see what else they might mean.